Miss Spell's Hotel

by Kate Danley

  The elves had surrounded the golden dragon to protect her. The undead dragon had given her quite the beat down. They had pikes out and were stabbing at the evil dragon every time he tried to come near.

  I placed my two fingers in my mouth and whistled. The undead creature regarded me, like he wasn't entirely sure why he should bother. I thought perhaps he might want to admire my new jewelry.

  I held up my magic stone bracelet and allowed it to shine with all the power it contained. That caught his attention.

  He opened his mouth, aiming a plume of fire my direction. I rolled the broom, dodging to the side, feeling the heat singe the side of my gown.

  The red organza was in brown tatters. "I'll be sending you the bill for this!" I swore at him as I saw the damage.

  He appeared to want to deliver it personally right now, and came flying straight at me.

  I arced the broom up into the sky and the dragon followed me up and up. The wind tossed me as he tried to swipe me out of the sky with a mighty paw.

  I felt the air getting thin. It would have been nice to have my glasses just to keep the wind from stinging my eyes. It was getting cold, too cold. The tears on my cheeks were now freezing. But I just needed to get him so singularly focused on me, he'd forget there were others on my team until they were ready for him. Broomie started to twitch. That one hit of vampire in the cave wasn't enough for this. I reached into my cloak and pulled out the last vial. Fumbling, I poured it on my bracelet, knowing this was it. I got more on my arm than my wrist. The vial slipped out of my fingers. It would have to do.

  I glanced down, watching it fall. It bounced off the dragon's head which just made him double his speed. And then I saw the pinprick far below that was Killian trying to get my attention.

  I pulled the broom up and over, and dived back to the earth. Killian and his family were standing at the ready. I aimed straight for them.

  They threw gold coins into the air as I buzzed. It was as good as putting an invisibility cloak over me. The dragon was so distracted by all the gold sparkly things, he forgot to pay attention. The elfin family threw Killian into the air like a team of circus tumbling artists.

  I slowed my broom as I watched Killian swirl a grappling hook and ensnare the dragon. Realizing something was going on, the creature launched himself once more into the sky. My stomach churned as I saw Killian dangle overhead and then slam back into the monster's side. But the rope wrapped around the lizard's neck as the creature thrashed and snapped.

  Killian pulled out an arrow and rappelled down the stomach of the dragon like a rock climber, hanging on tight to the scales as the creature barrel rolled like an alligator. I wanted to hide my eyes.

  A cheer rose from the group as Killian stabbed the dragon in the soft, single chink of its impenetrable armor. The creature roared and his head flung back, and then he began falling in his death throe.

  But then the elves whispered to one another in alarm. The queen let out a terrified gasp. Killian's rope had wrapped around the beast's wings, and that undead lizard couldn't open them to slow their fall. Terminal velocity was going to do to Killian what the dragon had failed to do.

  This was not acceptable. Not when I was just getting this poor elf to loosen up.

  I kicked up my heels and aimed my broom straight at the pair. The dragon was getting closer. He was enormous. My stomach tied in knots. It was like being on a collision course with a speeding mountain.

  "I got you," I shouted at Killian, hoping my voice was able to travel to his ears. "I got you, Killian! Jump!"

  He locked on me. I had expected to see fear. Instead, I saw fierce determination.

  And by gum, without hesitation, he jumped.

  He struck my body, his arms aiming not for me, but to hold both of us tight to the broom. The impact of gravity and the speed he was carrying from the dragon's fall knocked me flat against Broomie and sent both of us into a roll. End over end we went, the world spinning as the sky became the ground became the sky. The wooden stick pressed hard into my chest. Killian kept his legs and arms wrapped around my torso to keep it there. If he let go or lost his grip, we were both goners.

  But after a couple of terrifying moments, Broomie was able to slow, and then right itself. Killian and I clung to each other and watched as the monster struck the ground with an earthshaking thud.

  I looked over at him, his face so close to mine. His pupils were dilated. His muscles were rocks of terror and radiating heat. He seemed to be replaying how close he had come to joining that dragon on the final leg of the ride. I could feel his breath heaving and his heart racing through his tunic. But both our pulses slowed as it dawned on us we were alive and going to be okay. Have to say, this elf was going to be able to face any danger from this point forward and laugh.

  "Well done," I said to him.

  He nodded, not quite able to form words yet, poor thing.

  "I won't let you fall," I promised him.

  He nodded in understanding, but it still took a couple of minutes before he carefully released his fingers from the broom. I sat up gently, bringing him with me like a baby monkey, and allowed him to hold on to me as much as he liked.

  "Ready to go down?" I asked him.

  Once more he nodded.

  I slowly lowered us to the forest floor. His family and the queen were waiting. They formed a silent circle and stared at him sternly. Rather than relief, they seemed like they were going to kill him for pulling such a stunt. The queen spat something at him and he blanched.

  He let go of me, jumped off, and stalked over to the dragon.

  The queen stared at me with such hatred. If looks could kill, I'd be as dead as that vampire I left inside the cave.

  Ajax, however, was thrilled I was back safe and sound. He ran over and flung his arms around my waist. "I thought you were going to bite it, you foolish witch," he swore.

  The queen's face eased up a bit, and I realized it was because I was now in the arms of another man. Someday that woman was going to get herself a nasty lesson on why jealousy is a deadly sin. I decided to keep it to myself that Ajax preferred a more beardly type.

  She spun on her heel and walked over to tend to the gold and red dragon.

  Killian's mother bent to the side and whispered a few words to me. "They... couple. Now, not." And then she made an explosion with her hands and a face that communicated all I needed to know.

  I had found myself in the middle of a nasty breakup.

  Poor things.

  Killian's father had already pulled the heartstone out of the beast. The last drop of dragon's blood hardens into a gemstone. They are said to have magical powers and are highly valued, namely because you have to be present to claim the prize. The tricky part is that dragons are elemental creatures of fire, and when the last of their blood ceased circulating to keep them cool, they burst into flames.

  Killian's mother called up a spring from the soil and began dousing the flames with water to keep them from spreading. She said something to Killian that caused the queen to once more give me a nasty glare, but the queen nodded and allowed Killian to approach me.

  "There is a stream nearby," he said. Though he kept his face impassive for the sake of the queen, his eyes were soft. "The dark is falling. Perhaps you would allow me to escort you to wash off some of the soot?"

  Adrenaline subsiding, I realized I was thick with grime.

  Ajax gave me a shove. "You smell!"

  I laughed and then nodded to Killian with gratitude. "That would be lovely."

  He took my hand and helped me over a bolder. I tried to ignore the daggers I could feel the queen shooting at my back with her eyes.

  "Congratulations," I offered Killian as we finally got out of earshot.

  It was getting more difficult to see. Witches naturally go out at night, but I was grateful for Killian's elfin sight. I would have gotten lost if I had tried to find the stream on my own. Or the forest would have eaten me. But as it was, the sound of rushing water was clo
se ahead.

  His pursed mouth slipped into a smile, as if he was just remembering it was a thing he knew how to do. "Thank you. I should have been more careful."

  "You did what needed to be done," I said, resting my hand gently on his arm. "You are a hero to your people. And to me. And my friend Ajax. Thank you for helping me save his life. I would not have been able to do this without you."

  The stream was shallow and quick, dancing over smooth pebbles and stones. Killian knelt down without a word. I think he might have a tough time taking compliments.

  I followed suit, kneeling down quietly. My dress was absolutely ruined.

  "What was the object you used to lure the dragon away?" he suddenly asked out of the blue.

  I realized he was staring at my bracelet. I had a moment where I wasn't sure if I wanted to share its secrets, but heck, the man and I had just defeated a dragon together. The least I could do was confide in him. "It is a stone that I found. It... aids me in my magic."

  He peered at it, and then his face became even more serious. "That belonged to the elves."

  "Well, finders keepers and all that," I replied. "It was on the floor of my coven."

  He held up his hand in apology. "No, it is yours. Treasure finds itself to its rightful owner. I only meant it must have belonged to the dragon we just killed, stolen when he was turned."

  How odd. It made me wonder how a stone from an undead dragon managed to find its way out of an elfin hoard onto the floor of my coven. The mystery kept getting deeper.

  "It has a lovely silver setting," he commented as the silence grew awkward.

  I flashed him a smile. "This old thing? Why, Ajax made it himself."

  Killian examined it closer. A mischievous grin brightened his face. "Why, it appears to be dwarven work. So strange, since you stated repeatedly that your friend was merely vertically challenged, and most definitely not a dwarf."

  "Perhaps he has been keeping secrets from me."

  This actually made Killian laugh. He rubbed his hands vigorously in the stream. "You do not seem the type that one is able to keep secrets from."

  "Flatterer."

  He once again pointed at the bracelet. "It really is beautiful work. I had... well..."

  He fell silent, as if embarrassed to admit whatever he was about to say. I gave him a nudge with my arm, urging him to go on. "You had what?"

  He splashed water on his face in a delaying tactic. The dragon soot washed off in rivulets. I didn't even want to think what I looked like. Probably had rings under my eyes like a goon.

  I wet my hands and evened out the dirt on his cheek for him as nonchalant as I could possibly manage. "Now, try telling me again."

  Seeing I wasn't going to drop this, he relented and confessed, "I always wanted to be able to create pieces of art... like that."

  "Oh," I said, leaning back. "You should!" I pointed at the embroidery on his tunic. "Did you do that?"

  He nodded, a little bit of pride bubbling up inside. Way more pride than I saw him show when he had taken down that monster.

  I turned back to the stream and rinsed off my arms. "Well, this dragon slaying business looks like it is giving you a death wish, so I whole-heartedly support you pursuing this idea. What is holding you back?"

  His eyes started to lose their light once again as another dark cloud descended. "There are other plans for me."

  "By whom?" I asked, and then knew the answer. "That queen?"

  He nodded, unable to even speak anything ill about her. It would probably be whispered back to her ears in the wind and he'd get that pretty little head of his lopped off for treason.

  The elfin people are tied into their monarch. They feed off her energy and when she's doing poorly, the entire population does poorly. They are slavish in their devotion, a bit like sentient ants. Bound by duty and honor to whatever ridiculous edict is passed down. And as far as I was concerned, after one brief day in her company, I couldn't imagine a lifetime tied into that mess.

  I gazed back at the glow still coming from the dragon's fire.

  I recognized that hunger in Killian, that desire to create, to craft, to cast. His magic might be in a different form from mine, but I knew a kindred spirit. We were both barred from practicing this thing we loved, forced to slay monsters to get by. I reached out and gave his hand an understanding squeeze.

  Suddenly, an idea dawned on me. It was convoluted and diabolical, but... well... it seemed like a solution to both our problems.

  "You did me a good turn," I began. "And I liked working by your side...." I paused, hoping I would not be making a big mistake here.

  He observed at me with curiosity.

  I stared up at the starry sky, allowing the unsaid to weight my words and carry themselves to him. "I hear you elves enjoy favors..."

  He scrutinized me sharply. His mama didn't raise a fool. He caught exactly what I was throwing. "A favor? From a witch?"

  I held out my hands, not wanting to get his hopes too high. "A witch currently stripped of all her powers. But a favor, nonetheless."

  You see, a favor to the elves is a binding. It is a magical contract. If one side does not fulfill the request of the promise, they die. But like treasure in the dragon's den, favors are something that elves cannot resist.

  "And what might this favor be?" he asked slowly. I could see he was fighting the temptation hard.

  I cupped the water and trickled it down the back of my neck. "You long to express your artistic self as much as I miss being able to practice my arts." I held up my bracelet. "This allows me to take magic from other sources, but I need something more reliable. I need a wand infused with magic. With elfin magic."

  He took a sharp intake of breath. An elf cannot merely carve a wand. There is craft to their craftsmanship. Their artistic abilities involved learning how to bend the elements, how to infuse power, how to... make magic. I was asking him to commit, upon the pain of death, to honor this part of his soul for me.

  "Do you think you might be able to shape one? In exchange for a favor from me in return sometime in the future?"

  His face was indescribable. His eyes filled with hope. He opened his mouth, as if frightened I might take my words back. He stopped himself from leaping to conclusions and clarified what I was suggesting. "This would be a binding favor. If I did not create this wand, I would die. And if you do not fulfill your part of the favor at a later date, you could die, too?"

  Binding one's self to an elf is a risk. If he kicked it, it meant the favor would belong to his killer, be it dragon or vampire. But there was something about Killian I trusted. There was something I knew deep in my heart. I needed this favor as much as he did.

  With a tone of understatement that would make Ajax proud, I shrugged and said, "You're doing me a real good turn. I never would have found Ajax on my own." I shivered at the reality of what just happened. "I certainly would not have found him without your magic." I turned to Killian to impress on him the importance of this binding. "The wand must be excellent. It must allow me to focus powers that may or may not be inside of me. Do not rush it. Practice. Carve reliefs and murals and learn how to bend the wood. And when you are ready, use all your skill to make me an excellent wand. Can you do that? Will you do me this favor?"

  He nodded as he tried to keep his emotions under control. "I would do it... to help you. I have just moved into my very own home. It needs murals and furniture and... magic. I will train and learn... for this favor. I bind myself to you."

  He reached out his hand to shake mine. It trembled ever so slightly, and then I felt the agreement take.

  We both stood, aware that something very special had happened.

  The dark forest began to twinkle as the wild pixies began to wake.

  "We should get back to the group," I said. "I don't know about you, but I’m exhausted. Let's get to bed before the banshee bites."

  We walked back to the dragon clearing. Killian fell in behind. I remembered the elves walked in single file so
as not to alert a foe how many were in the party. The sound of his footsteps had changed, though. Rather than plowing through the forest, he was careful, thoughtful. I turned back to smile and was greeted by the raw vulnerability of a man lost in wonderful dreams.

  The other elves had tucked their cloaks up around their neck and fallen asleep. Ajax was curled up at the base of a tree. Killian's mother was perched on one leg, watching him like a hawk.

  "Time for bed?" I asked her.

  She glared at me and then pointed her spear at Ajax. "Dwarf."

  "He's with me..." I tried to assure her.

  "Dwarf and witch," she hissed, her already narrow eyes narrowing even more.

  "Good dwarf and good witch," I replied.

  Killian caught the tail end of our exchange. He gave out a bark of laughter. I was surprised by it. His mother was, too. And I saw a flash across her face that she thought it would be nice if he found a way to laugh more. She eased up on me and Ajax after that.

  "We saved a dwarf," Killian chuckled, going over to rest his hand on her shoulder and direct her to bed. "Or a dwarf saved us." He took her place as the sentry.

  I curled up beside Ajax and cradled my head in my arms.

  I opened my eyes just a slit at one point to see if Killian was asleep. He wasn't. He was leaning against a tree, standing on one leg, staring up at the night sky like he could hardly wait for the day he would be free from the forest.

  And then he smiled, like maybe he realized he had a way.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The elves accompanied Ajax and me to the front gates of the forest. Through the wrought iron, life on the Other Side continued normally. It had only been two and a half days since this nightmare began, yet seeing the unicorn drawn carriages on the cobblestones and the flying griffins clutching their packages for delivery made it feel like a world away.

  I paused by Killian's side as we waited for the Queen to release the lock on the gate and give us her permission to leave. I wondered what happened to people who tried without her blessing...